Reclosable Food Tray and Tray Blank with Yang&#39;s Notch Cut as Fastening Mechanism;
and Carrying Strap for Carrying Single or Multiple Food Trays

ABSTRACT

A reclosable food tray is disclosed comprising a receptacle portion and two pairs of opposing closure flaps. The receptacle portion has substantially trapezoidal volume defined by a rectangular shaped bottom panel and two substantially upstanding pair of opposing side panels. The opposing side panels defined four pairs of adjacent panels which are hingedly connected in liquid-sealed manner by four folded gussets secured by three pairs of notch cuts. The notch cut is a curved and hook-like cut serves as interlocking mechanism to hold the food tray together. The pair of notch cuts can also be disconnected from each other to open the penal(s). The notch cut enable the food tray shipped in blank and erected by end user, also eliminates metal wire and adhesives that are commonly used by prior arts. A carrying strap purposely designed for carrying one or multiple food trays is a component of the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention generally relates to a preconstructed folding foodtray which is adapted to open and close easily and, more particularly,to a foldable tray blank and method of erecting the blank to form theconstructed tray. The present invention is an improvement of the priorart invented by DeMay and filed with the US Patent & Trademark Office in1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,204.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Fast, convenient take-out and prepared food services have become a wayof life in modern society. There many food trays, containers have beenmade and distributed to retails where food are served and delivered.Furthermore, many gift shops have used verity of such containers as giftwrapping and decorations. The most commonly used food tray is theChinese food pail that is universally known in the take-out foodindustry. It is preconstructed at the manufacturing plant by folding aprecut blank and fastening the gusset flaps with glue or metallic wire.Commercial products of this type have been offered by Fold-PakCorporation since approximately 1977. Hundreds of millions such foodpails are manufactured and distributed worldwide annually.

The food pails fastened by adhesive (glue) are easily break open duringstacking and shipping and adhesive is deposited on the interior surfaceof the blank, specifically between the adjacent panels which form eachcorner of the carton. When exposed to high temperature, this adhesivecan cause undesirable contamination of the contents and once opened, itis quite a hassle to reclose. Those that are using metal wire are notmicrowave resistant if the metal wire is not removed, as well, it is notconvenient to open for pouring out of food or use it as disposabledinning container. Without opening the tray, food or contents is almostinvisible from other angles unless directly peak from top opening. Inaddition, they all are pre-constructed at manufactures and take certainamount of space for packaging, shipping and storing. The DeMay's 1990invention of the recloseable food tray only offered the previouslyexisting food pail a top recloseable panels. The present inventionpermits the food pail re-open and reclose from both top and side as enduser desires.

This disclosure indicates a clear need for a folding food carton whichovercomes the deficiencies of earlier art-recognized techniques.Furthermore, the current computer guided precision cut and laser cuttechnologies have made the present invention easily manufactured andcost effective possible.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea blank, reclosable food tray which is substantially leak-proof andadapted for exposure to microwave and other high temperatureapplications.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a convenient,reusable container for an assorted selection of take-out and preparedfoods

Another object is to provide a food tray which can be shipped in blankto the end user. It is cost effective on manufacturing, wrapping,shipping and storing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a food traywhich has improved operability and improved “closeability” and whichaffords improved protection to the food contents after reclosing.

Another object is to provide an easy reopen/recloseable container thatmake the content transferred from, or to other containers easily. Aswell, make food or content in tray more visible from opening.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container thatcan be easily opened and served as a temporary, informal food plate andmake-shift dinning containers for casual occasions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide folding trayblanks which can be constructed in a simple and efficient manner.Optimally, it can be stored as tray blank and constructed by end user atlast minute when needed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide tray blanks ofvarying configurations which are adapted with cuts and score lines toform an assembled tray container for take-out and prepared foods.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an environmentallyattractive food tray made from biodegradable material. Less material isused, less energy consumed when manufacturing it. In result, lesspacking material and less cargo space when shipping.

A further object of the present invention is to provide tray blankswhich are adapted for manufacture from paperboard sheet stock usinghigh-speed cutting and scoring machines.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide tray blanksusing a minimum amount of stock during the cutting and scoringoperations.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method oferecting the food tray without high speed operations involved.

Another object of the present invention is to provide end user acarrying strap that is capable carrying multiple containers at same timeas very commonly that people taking out several different foodcontainers on a single trip.

A further objective of the present invention is to minimize, or eveneliminate, the usage of extra brown, plastic bags that are commonlyprovided to host multiple containers.

A further objective of the present invention is to expose exteriorsurface which could be utilized for retail logos, advertisements, artwork/decoration, identification marks and social awarenesscommunications, etc.

Based on this disclosure, additional objects of the present inventionwill be apparent to those with ordinary skill in the pertinent art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A reclosable food tray is provided by one aspect of the presentinvention. The tray is constructed from a single unitary blank, andcomprises a receptacle portion and first and second pair of opposingclosure flaps.

The receptacle portion has access openings, from top or from side, whichpermits introduction of food. Its volume is defined by a rectangularshaped bottom panel and two substantially upstanding pair of opposingside panels. The two pair of opposing side panels extend substantiallyupright from the bottom panel and define four pair of adjacent sidepanels at the corners of the bottom panel. Each pair of adjacent sidepanels are hingedly connected in a liquid-sealed manner, by a foldedgusset unitary with the respective adjacent side panels, and is securedby Yang's notch cuts on the folded gussets. The first pair of opposingclosure flaps that have Yang's notch cut extend from one pair ofopposing side panels and are capable of covering or closing off aportion of the access opening. The second pair of opposing closure flapsthat have Yang's notch cut extend from the other pair of opposing sidepanels and are interlocked by Yang's notch cuts to cooperate with eachother, overlap a portion of the first pair of opposing closure flapsthat can be interlocked by Yang's notch cut, and cover the remainingportion of the access opening. Each folded gusset is suitablydimensioned so that the receptacle portion is capable of retainingliquids or semi-solid consumables without leakage. Each folded gusset isalso bearing Yang's notch cut that serves as interlock mechanism to holdthe tray in shape.

In the preferred embodiment, the food tray is erected from a paperboardor stiff plastic material which is substantially resistant to microwaveand other heat radiation. With the food tray of the present invention,food can be safely and efficiently heated in a microwave or convectionoven.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a tray blank isprovided having a planar unitary construction and a substantiallyrectangular gross geometry. The blank generally comprises a bottompanel; first and second pair of opposing side panels; four foldablegussets with Yang's notch cut and first and second pair of opposingclosure panels with Yang's notch cut.

The bottom panel has a rectangular shape and a surface area defined by afirst and second pair of opposing bottom fold lines. The first andsecond pair of opposing side panels are hingedly connected to the bottompanel at the first and second pair of opposing bottom fold lines,respectively. These opposing panels define four pair of adjacent sidepanels, each adjoining at a corner of the bottom panel. Each foldablegusset is hingedly connected to each pair of adjacent side panels. Whenthe first and second opposing side panels are folded substantiallyupright with respect to the bottom panel, the tray receptacle with anaccess opening is formed, each gusset is folded adjacent toward anexterior portion of one side panel and interlock with an opposing gussetthrough Yang's notch cuts. With Yang's notch cut on said gusset, itpermits gussets detach from each other that also permits one side paneltilt open as side receptacle access. Each side panel is disposedsubstantially upright at a predetermined obtuse angle with respect tothe bottom panel.

The first pair of opposing closure panels is hingedly connected to thefirst pair of opposing side panels. Each closure panel has a said Yang'snotch cut at its top edge, is adapted to close off a portion of theaccess opening when folded and disposed substantially parallel to thebottom panel. The second pair of opposing closure panels is hingedlyconnected to the second pair of opposing side panels, and adapted tooverlay a portion of the first pair of opposing closure panels and closeoff the remaining portion of the access opening through Yang's notchcut. A fastening means may be provided for selectively opening andclosing the second pair of closure panels.

Another aspect of the present invention concerns a novel method oferecting a food tray from a blank in a simple, yet highly efficientmanner with a minimum number of folding operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made to the following description of the preferredembodiment in connection with the accompanying drawings. With FIG. 1 asthe reference, all the numbers and letters on different illustrations ofthe first present invention, the food tray, are intent to be consistentwith FIG. 1; With FIG. 7 as the reference, all the letters and numberson different illustrations of the second present invention, the carryingstrap, are intend to be consistent with FIG. 7, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the new and improved tray blank of the presentinvention.

1, 2, 3 and 4 are Yang's notch cut on top closure panels; 5 through 12are Yang's notch cut in back to back fashion on gussets 21,22, 23 and24; 26 through 33 are optional short line cut that associate with Yang'snotch cuts for easy insertion and security of Yang's notch cut whenerected the tray blank to shape; 25 is the bottom panel; 17, 18, 19 and20 are substantially upstanding side panels; 13, 14, 15 and 16 areclosure panels; 34 through 53 are foldable lines.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the new and improved tray, in erectedand half-way enclosed stage of the present invention; it illustrates thesecond stage of erecting a tray blank to tray container. Visible Yang'snotch cuts, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 on visible gussets 21, 23 and 24;Yang's notch cuts 1, 2, 3 and 4 on closure panels 13, 14, 15 and 16. AllYang's notch cuts are not yet hooked into each other to fully close thefood tray at this stage.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tray blank after it has beencompletely folded to form the food tray of the present invention, beingshown in its erected position ready for stacking with other like traysand ready to be carried by the second invention, Carrying Strap,described in said claim 24 above;

FIG. 4 is a detailed plan view of one Yang's notch cut 1, in 2, one ofthe four closure gussets; Inner loop line 5 and outer loop line 6 mergeinto each other at tip point 3; 4 is optional rough edge (zigzag orteeth like lines) on inner loop line 5 to increase friction for moresecurity when notch cut intertwined. Inner loop line 5 can be a smoothloop line without rough edge. This drawing illustrates only partialclosure panel.

FIG. 5 is a detailed plan view of Yang's notch cut 1 and 2 on oppositeside of gussets that have been folded together along folding line (notshown in this drawing), but before hook into each other.

FIG. 6 is detailed plan view of one foldable gusset with two Yang'snotch cuts 1 and 2 are in back to back position before folding linespressed. The two sections 8 and 9 divided by foldable line 5 are inequal size and mirror image. 3 and 4 represent the short line cut formore security after two notch cuts intertwined. When folded, the twosections 8 and 9 will become one section with two identical layers (see9 and 10 in FIG. 7).

FIG. 7 is a detailed plan view of two gussets after folded becomingdouble layers, before intertwined to connect. 1 and 2 are Yang's notchcuts with two layers on two opposite gussets; 3 and 4 are short cutswith two layers; 9 and 10 are two opposite gussets after folded theillustration as FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the new invention, the Carrying Strap, designedto carry single and/or multiple the new and improved food tray. Bottomrectangle panel A; triangle panels B and C; foldable lines J, J1, J2,J3, K, K1, K2 and K3 (folding lines can be selected based on needs);fish scale cut F, F1, F2, F3, G, G1, G2 and G3 (scale cut can be more orless based on needs); strap on opposite end E and D; short line cut H,H1, H2, H3, I, I1, I2 and I3 (short line can be selected based onneeds); round tip M and N; 0, P, Q, R, S and T are edge lines.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the erected Carrying Strap with one saidfood tray sliding down toward to the bottom panel of the presentinvention, the Carrying Strap. To stack more said food trays, the sameoperation will be repeated.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of multiple of the first presentinvention, the Food Tray fully erected and stacked in a fully erectedand looped the second present invention, the Carrying Strap.

OPERATION (NUMBERS BELOW REFERRED TO FIG. 1)

-   -   1) Erect the pre-cut, pre-shaped flat single unitary blank        paper/plastic sheet to box shape. Press the blank sheet along        folding lines 34 through 53;    -   2) Push first pair of foldable gussets 21 and 22, and then        second pair 23 and 24 toward to each other until they overlap to        each other;    -   3) Gently twist and wiggle to snap double layered Yang's notch        cuts, 5 and 6 pair to 7 and 8, then 9 and 10 pair to 11 and 12,        into each other;    -   4) Pull back gently to make sure the two said notch cuts snug        tightly and intertwined;    -   5) Put food or other contents into the food tray; (Note: food or        contents can be introduced through unclosed side panel that has        foldable gussets that are enclosed by Yang's notch cuts.)    -   6) Close the first pair of re-closable top closure panels 13 and        15 and then, 14 and 16, by Yang's notch cuts as described in        Step 3 and 4 to close the tray;    -   7) Erect the second present invention, the carrying strap, from        blank. Fold it along the foldable line to adjust bottom panel A        to match the size of bottom panel of the food tray;    -   8) Slide in the carrying strap, from bottom to top, between        intertwined two pairs of foldable gussets, 21 & 22 and 23 & 24        that have been connected and interlocked by Yang's notch cuts.        Alternately, fold and interlock the guests after the carrying        strap is in position;    -   9) Lock the carrying strap at two ends by using short line cut,        H and I, into each other;    -   10) Push inward the fish scale cut(s), G and F, on the straps D        and E, to add extra stability and security while carrying the        food tray. The purpose of the fish scale cuts is to minimize        trays' movement.    -   11) To access food or contents of the tray, remove food tray(s)        from the Carrying Strap;    -   12) Twist and unlock Yang's notch cut to reopen the food tray        from side or from top.

REFERENCE

-   Provisional patent application: U.S. 61/633,793, Filed Feb. 18, 2013    Receipt Date: Mar. 5, 2012

U.S. Patent Documents

396,570 January 1889 Hotchkiss 1,982,557 November 1934 Watson 2,330,521September 1943 Scheide 2,391,767 December 1945 Beerend 2,475,294 July1949 Rafoth 2,528,016 October 1950 Smith 2,676,747 April 1954 Lange2,801,930 August 1957 Paulucci 2,810,506 October 1957 Kessler 2,917,221December 1959 Risdon 3,027,063 March 1962 Zastrow 3,043,068 July 1962Blonder 3,128,725 April 1964 Becker et al. 3,146,933 September 1964Moore 3,155,304 November 1964 Beerend 3,352,472 November 1967 Cummingset al. 3,542,569 November 1970 Farquhar 3,771,713 November 1973 Davidson3,863,832 February 1975 Gordon et al. 3,871,357 March 1975 Grosso et al.3,913,823 October 1975 Lin 3,983,256 September 1976 Norris et al.4,036,423 July 1977 Gordon 4,202,465 May 1980 McLaren 4,253,602 March1981 Kulig 4,277,506 July 1981 Austin 4,279,933 July 1981 Austin et al.4,304,335 December 1981 Bemiss 4,308,985 January 1982 Manizza et al.4,571,340 February 1986 Ferrante et al. 4,754,914 July 1988 Wischusen,III 4,757,940 July 1988 Quick et al. 4,930,639 June 1990 Rigby 5,411,204May 1995 DeMay

Foreign Patent Documents

626,234 August 1961 CA 1,405,944 June 1965 FR

Other References

-   Fold-Pak, Chinese Food Pail Blank No. 1J, 1977.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reclosable food tray erected from a singleunitary blank having an interior and exterior surface and asubstantially square gross geometry. Unlike prior arts, the presentinvention has notch cuts (named Yang's notch cut, hereunder) that enablethe food tray, without assistant of foreign materials, e.g. adhesive ormetal wire, etc., shipped in blank, erected and shaped by end user.Also, as designed, the said food tray can be opened and reclosed fromboth top and side panels that have said Yang's notch cuts as fasteningand interlocking mechanism. The food tray comprises: a fully constructedreceptacle portion having access openings, from top or from side,permitting introduction of food into said receptacle portion having avolumetric geometry defined by a rectangular shaped bottom panel, afirst substantially upstanding pair of opposing side panels, a secondsubstantially upstanding pair of opposing side panels said pairs ofopposing side panels defining four pairs of adjacent side panels, witheach pair of adjacent side panels being hingedly connected by one offour folded gussets, with each of said gussets unitary with saidadjacent side panels, secured and interlocked to the opposing saidgusset by said Yang's notch cuts. Each said panel has a short line cutat joint point located at upper end (side panel at upstanding position)of said side panel and said gusset. Each said folded gusset and saidexterior surface, each said side panel being disposed at a first obtuseangle measured from said bottom panel so that said volumetric geometryfacilitates nesting of the receptacle portion of one reclosable foodtray within the receptacle portion of another reclosable food tray;Yang's notch cut, a curved, looped and hook-like cut in paperboard andother stiff sheet materials serves as interlocking mechanism to holdsaid reclosable food tray. The Yang's notch cut comprises: an inner loopline; an outer loop line; a tip point where the outer and inner looplines curved and merged together; an optional zigzag cut (or teeth-likerough edge) along inner loop line. These inner loop line cuts serve apurpose of more security to enclose said food tray. Said Yang's notchcut can be hooked into each other and un-hook from each other permittingsaid food tray reclose and reopen. Yang's notch cut can be adapted tomany other materials and products as connecting, interlocking tool. afirst pair of opposing closure flaps, each extending from one of saidopposing side panels and being capable of closing off a portion of saidaccess opening with said Yang's notch cut; and a second pair of opposingclosure flaps, each extending from one of the other pair of opposingside panels and being adapted to cooperatively interlock with each otherby said Yang's notch cut and overlap a portion of said first pair ofopposing closure flaps to close off said access opening.
 2. Thereclosable food tray of claim 1, wherein each said folded gusset issuitably dimensioned so that said receptacle portion is capable ofretaining liquid or semi-solid consumables without leakage through saidreceptacle portion.
 3. The reclosable food tray of claim 2, wherein saidtwo substantially upstanding pair of opposing side panels comprise afirst side panel disposed opposite a second side panel, a third sidepanel disposed opposite a fourth side panel, with said first side panelbeing adjacent said third and said fourth side panels and said secondside panel being adjacent said third and said fourth side panels to forma volume having trapezoidal dimensions.
 4. The reclosable food tray ofclaim 1, wherein said blank comprises paperboard material which issubstantially resistant to microwave and other heat radiation.
 5. Thereclosable food tray of claim 1, wherein said first pair of opposingclosure flaps are hingedly connected to said respective opposing sidepanels along respective top fold lines, and each folded gusset has anupper edge which extends substantially along one of said respective topfold lines.
 6. The reclosable food tray of claim 5, wherein said firstand second pair of opposing side panels are hingedly connected to saidbottom panel along respective bottom fold lines, and each side panel hasleft and right side fold lines, each of which are disposed at a secondobtuse angle with respect to adjacent bottom fold lines.
 7. Thereclosable tray of claim 6, wherein said blank comprises paperboardmaterial which is substantially resistant to microwave and other heatradiation.
 8. The reclosable food tray of claim 1, which furthercomprises a folded partition for insertion into said receptacle portionto divide said receptacle portion into two or more separate food storagecompartments. Said partition could be straight insertion to divide saidfood tray diagonally into two triangular portions or two rectangularportions; and could also be “S” shape insertion, “X” (or cross) shapeinsertion and even tube (cylinder) insertion, etc.
 9. A reclosable foodtray constructed from a single unitary blank having an interior andexterior surface, which comprises: a receptacle portion having an accessopening permitting introduction of food into said receptacle portionhaving a volume defined by a rectangular shaped bottom panel, a firstsubstantially upstanding pair of opposing side panels, a secondsubstantially upstanding pair of opposing side panels said pairs ofopposing side panels defining four pairs of adjacent side panels, witheach pair of adjacent side panels being hingedly connected by one offour folded gussets, with each of said gussets unitary with saidadjacent side panels, secured and interlocked to the opposing saidgusset by said Yang's notch cuts and short line cuts. Each said sidepanel being disposed at a first obtuse angle measured from said bottompanel; a first pair of opposing closure flaps, each extending from oneof said opposing side panels and being capable of closing off a portionof said access opening; and a second pair of opposing closure flaps,each extending from one of the other pair of opposing side panels, saidsecond pair of opposing closure flaps interlock each other by Yang'snotch cut and overlap a portion of said first pair of opposing closureflaps to close off said access opening.
 10. A blank adapted to be foldedinto a reclosable food tray having a fully constructed receptacleportion with a volumetric geometry which facilitates nesting of thereceptacle portion of one food tray within the receptacle portion ofanother said food tray, said blank having a planar unitary construction,an interior and an exterior surface and a substantially square grossgeometry, which comprises: a bottom panel of rectangular shape having asurface area defined by a first and second pair of opposing bottom foldlines; a first and second pair of opposing side panels hingedlyconnected to said bottom panel along said first and second pair ofopposing bottom fold lines, said opposing panels defining four pair ofadjacent side panels; four foldable gussets, each said foldable gussetbeing hingedly connected to each pair of adjacent side panels so thatwhen said first and second opposing side panels are folded substantiallyupright with respect to said bottom panel, a receptacle portion with anaccess opening is formed, each said foldable gusset is folded and can besecured by Yang's notch cut and a short line cut to an opposing foldablegusset that has Yang's notch cut and a short line cut as well. TwoYang's notch cuts enable said gussets interlocked to each other. Andeach said side panel is disposed substantially upright at a firstpredetermined obtuse angle with respect to said bottom panel; a firstpair of opposing closure panels, each hingedly connected to one of saidfirst pair of opposing side panels and being dimensioned to close off aportion of said access opening when folded over said access opening anddisposed substantially parallel to said bottom panel; a second pair ofopposing closure panels, each hingedly connected to one of said secondpair of opposing side panels and being dimensioned to close off saidaccess opening when folded over said access opening and said first pairof opposing closure panels.
 11. The blank of claim 10, wherein saidsecond pair of opposing closure flaps comprises a releasable fasteningmeans to selectively open and close said second pair of closure flapswhen folded down over said first pair of closure flaps and said accessopening.
 12. The blank of claim 10, wherein said first pair of opposingbottom fold lines comprises a first bottom fold line opposing a secondbottom fold line, said second pair of opposing bottom fold linescomprises a third bottom fold line opposing a fourth bottom fold line;said first pair of opposing side panels comprises a first side panelcontiguous with said first bottom fold line, and having a surface areadefined by a first top fold line, a first left side fold line, a firstright side fold line and said first bottom fold line, said first top andbottom fold lines being substantially parallel and said first left andright side fold lines diverging from said first bottom fold line at asaid predetermined obtuse angle; and a second side panel disposedopposite of said first side panel, being contiguous with said secondbottom fold line, and having a surface area defined by a second top foldline, a second left side fold line, a second right side fold line andsaid second bottom edge fold line, said second top and bottom fold linesbeing substantially parallel and said second left and right side foldlines diverging from said second bottom fold lines at said secondpredetermined obtuse angle; and said second pair of opposing side panelscomprises a third side panel contiguous with said third bottom foldline, and having a surface area defined by a third top fold line, athird left side fold line, a third right side fold line and said thirdbottom fold line, said third top and bottom fold lines beingsubstantially parallel and said third left and right side fold linesdiverging from said third bottom fold line at said second predeterminedobtuse angle; and a fourth side panel disposed opposite of said secondside panel, being contiguous with said fourth bottom fold line, andhaving a surface area defined by a fourth top fold line, a fourth leftside fold line, a fourth right fold and said fourth bottom fold line,said fourth top and bottom fold line being substantially parallel andsaid fourth left and right side fold lines diverging from said fourthbottom fold line at said second predetermined obtuse angle.
 13. Theblank of claim 10, wherein said foldable gussets comprise: a firstfoldable gusset being contiguous with said first and third side panels,and having a first corner fold line and a first corner edge, a Yang'snotch cut and a short line cut are created close to the tip of the edge;a second foldable gusset being contiguous with said first and fourthside panels, and having a second corner fold line and a second corneredge, a Yang's notch cut and a short line cut are created close to thetip of the edge; a third foldable gusset being contiguous with saidfourth and second side panels, and having a third corner fold line and athird corner edge, a Yang's notch cut and a short line cut are createdclose to the tip of the edge; and a fourth foldable gusset beingcontiguous with said second and third side panels, and having a fourthcorner fold line and a fourth corner edge, a Yang's notch cut and ashort line cut created close to the tip of the edge.
 14. The blank ofclaim 12, wherein said first pair of opposing closure panels comprises:a first closure panel with a Yang's notch cut at the top of the edgebeing contiguous with said first side panel; and a second closure panelwith a Yang's notch cut at the top of the edge being contiguous withsaid second side panel; and said second pair of opposing closure panelscomprises a third closure panel with a Yang's notch cut at the top ofthe edge being contiguous with said third side panel; and a fourthclosure panel with a Yang's notch cut at the top of the edge beingcontiguous with said fourth side panel.
 15. The blank of claim 12,wherein a pair of Yang's notch cuts interlocking means is formed in oneof said opposing first and second closure panels or said opposing thirdand fourth closure panels for selectively opening and closing saidopposing closure panels.
 16. The blank of claim 11, wherein said firstfoldable gusset has a surface area generally defined by said first leftside fold line, said third right side fold line and said first corneredge; said second foldable gusset has a surface area generally definedby said first right side fold line, said fourth left side fold line andsaid second corner edge; said third foldable gusset has a surface areadefined by said fourth right side fold line, said second left side foldline and said third corner edge; and said fourth foldable gusset has asurface area generally defined by said second right side fold line, saidthird left side fold line and said fourth corner edge.
 17. The blankaccording to claim 14, wherein said first closure panel has a first leftclosure panel edge, a first right closure panel edge, and a surface areagenerally defined by said first top fold line, said left closure paneledge and said first right closure panel edge; said second closure panelhas a second left closure panel edge, a second right closure panel edge,and a surface area generally defined by said second top fold line, saidsecond left closure panel edge and said second right closure panel edge;said third closure panel has a third left closure panel edge, a thirdright closure panel edge, and a surface area generally defined by saidthird top fold line, said third left closure panel edge and said thirdright closure panel edge; and said fourth closure panel has a fourthleft closure panel edge, a fourth right closure panel edge, and asurface area generally defined by said fourth top fold line, said fourthleft closure panel edge and said fourth right closure panel edge. 18.The blank according to claim 17, wherein said first left closure paneledge has a portion adjacent said first top fold line which issubstantially parallel to said third bottom fold line; said first rightclosure panel edge has a portion adjacent to said first top fold linewhich is substantially parallel to said fourth bottom fold line; saidsecond left closure panel edge has a portion adjacent to said second topfold line which is substantially parallel to said fourth bottom foldline; and said second right closure panel edge has a portion adjacent tosaid second top fold line which is substantially parallel to said thirdbottom fold line.
 19. The blank according to claim 16, wherein saidthird left closure edge has a portion adjacent to said third top foldline which is substantially parallel to said second bottom fold line;said third right closure panel edge has a portion adjacent to said thirdtop fold line which is substantially parallel to said first bottom foldline; said fourth left closure panel edge having a portion adjacent tosaid fourth top fold line which is substantially parallel to said firstbottom fold line; and said fourth right closure panel edge has a portionadjacent to said fourth top fold line which is substantially parallel tosaid second bottom edge fold line.
 20. A blank adapted to be folded intoa reclosable food tray having a receptacle portion with a volumetricgeometry which facilitates nesting of the receptacle portion of one foodtray within the receptacle portion of another said food tray, said blankhaving planar unitary construction and a substantially square grossgeometry, which comprises: a bottom panel of rectangular shape having asurface area defined by first, second, third and fourth bottom foldlines; a first side panel contiguous with said first bottom fold linehaving a surface area defined by a first top fold line, a first leftside fold line, a first right side fold line and said first bottom foldline, said first top fold line and said first bottom fold line beingsubstantially parallel and said first left and right side fold linesdiverging from said first bottom fold at a predetermined angle; a secondside panel disposed opposite said first side panel and contiguous withsaid second bottom fold line, having a surface area defined by a secondtop fold line, a second left side fold line, a second right side foldline and said second bottom fold, said second top and bottom fold linesbeing substantially parallel and said second left and right side foldlines diverging from said second bottom fold line at said predeterminedangle; a third side panel contiguous with said third bottom fold linehaving a surface area defined by a third top fold line, a third leftside fold line, a third right side fold line and said third bottom fold,said third top and bottom fold lines being substantially parallel andsaid third left and right side fold lines diverging from said thirdbottom fold line at said predetermined angle; a fourth side paneldisposed opposite said second side panel and contiguous with said fourthbottom fold line, having a surface area defined by a fourth top foldline, a fourth left side fold line, a fourth right side fold line andsaid fourth bottom fold line, said fourth top and bottom fold linesbeing substantially parallel and said fourth left and right side foldlines diverging from said fourth bottom fold line at said predeterminedangle; a first foldable gusset with a Yang's notch cut and a short linecut created close to the tip of the edge being contiguous with saidfirst and third side panels, and having a first corner fold line and afirst corner edge; a second foldable gusset with a Yang's notch cut andshort line cut created close to the tip of the edge being contiguouswith said first and fourth side panels, and having a second corner foldline and a second corner edge; a third foldable gusset with a Yang'snotch cut and short line cut created close to the tip of the edge beingcontiguous with said fourth and second side panels, and having a thirdcorner fold line and a third corner edge; a fourth foldable gusset witha Yang's notch cut and a short line cut created close to the tip of theedge being contiguous with said second and third side panels, and havinga fourth corner fold line and a fourth corner edge; a first closurepanel with a Yang's notch cut on leading edge being contiguous with saidfirst side panel; a second closure panel with a Yang's notch cut onleading edge being contiguous with said second side panel; a thirdclosure panel with a Yang's notch cut on the leading edge beingcontiguous with said third side panel; a fourth closure panel with aYang's notch cut on the leading edge being contiguous with said fourthside panel; and fastening means said Yang's notch cut formed in at leastone opposing pair of said closure panels for selectively opening andclosing said closure panels. With said Yang's notch cut on every singleof said closure panel will increase tightness of fastening said foodtray.
 21. Said Yang's notch cut: A curved, looped and hook-like cut inpaperboard and other stiff sheet materials serves as interlockingmechanism to hold said reclosable food tray. To enable said Yang's notchcut works as locking device, as well, to enforce the strength ofinterlock, said Yang's notch cut should be created geometrically andevenly at upper portion of said four gussets, in back to back fashion(mirror image); in another word, cut openings facing said adjacent sidepanels. Said Yang's notch cuts on each of said gussets shall become oneYang's notch cut with double layers when said foldable gussets foldedalong said fold line to shape said food tray.
 22. other type of notchcuts on the said gusset of said food tray have been considered andtested, including but not limited to, zigzag cut, triangle cut, etc.,However, the present Yang's notch cut has been proven serves the bestpurpose of the idea. All other shape and designs of cuts should beconsidered within the scope of the new invention and under the same domeof the claim.
 23. for easy insertion and security of said Yang's notchcut when enclosing said food tray, a short straight line cut is createdon each gusset at top edge adjacent to said Yang's notch cut. A carryingstrap designed to hold one or multiple said food trays together, aftererected from said tray blank and tightened by said Yang's notch cuts inclosed position. Said carrying strap can be manufactured with the samematerials as of said food tray, or any other suitable materials, such asplastic, textile and flexible metal, etc., which comprises:
 24. acarrying strap erected from a single unitary blank.
 25. a fullyconstructed said carrying strap is defined by a rectangular shape bottompanel.
 26. said rectangular bottom panel continues and hingedly connectto one substantially upstanding pair of opposing side triangle panelsthat have purposely designed foldable line or lines at lower part ofsaid triangle panels.
 27. said multiple foldable lines enable the sizeof said bottom rectangular panel and said triangle panels becomeadjustable to fit the above said food tray in different size. 28.continued with said pair of triangle panels and, with reduced width attop portion of said triangle panels, a pair of long, narrow, extendedstrap of opposing side connect to said triangle